University Cuts Ties To Blackwater USA

The University of Illinois has canceled a partnership between its police-training institute and a Currituck County contractor best known for providing security forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A published report says the contract with Blackwater USA has been canceled because of a potential conflict of interest.

The University of Illinois has signed a five-year deal in May.

The Chicago Tribune reports today the contract was canceled because the school's institute director, Tom Dempsy, didn't tell school officials he was negotiating personal contracting work with Blackwater, which is based on Moyock.

A spokeswoman at Blackwater says they haven't gotten the letter.

Chancellor Richard Herman wrote Blackwater telling them said the deal was entered into "in a manner which was inconsistent with university policy."

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